tokyo 2020 olympics

Raised fists, kneeling during anthem OK at U.S. Olympic trials

19 Comments
By EDDIE PELLS

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19 Comments
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If you are an American athlete, then your fist should not be raised nor should you be kneeling on the ground. To do so is to reject the notion that all people are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights, which notion is the basis of all human rights.

This doesn't make any sense at all. How does kneeling or raising a fist indicate that you are against equality?

Protesting racism does not justify showing disrespect to one's country and flag.

It does, actually.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

For the nay-sayers, let me remind you that Peter Norman the Aussie in the photo also protested in his own way by wearing the badge of the Olympic Project of Human Rights. For standing with his fellow athletes he was ostracized when he returned home and although the best in his class in AU he was not welcomed for the Munich Olympics. Tommie Smith and John Carlos offered eulogies and were the pallbearers for Norman at his funeral. Muhammad Ali became a Muslim and refused the draft and was against the Vietnam war. He was ostracized, hated, and was stripped of his title and the best years of his boxing career. When he made his comeback and proved himself all over again people called him The Greatest and he became an iconic hero. Where were these people when he was speaking his conscious and hated? Luz Long, a German befriended Jesse Owens in front of Hitler at the Berlin Olympics. Luz Long later was in the Wehrmacht and died in the war. Jesse Owens would later be the best man for Luz Long's son, Karl. "Shut up and dribble" is not an option anymore and people had better get used to it.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

So can we also expect such protests or even a boycott of the winter games next year?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The U.S. makes the rules at its own Olympic trials

If the U.S. allows it, then it's allowed at its Olympic trials

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Black people in 1968 would kill to live like people do in 2021.

You're right. This means that the remaining discrimination is against them is ok, since it was worse in the past. Once people realize that black people just need to accept this racism due to things being better than in 1968, things will be easier. They just need to stop fighting it, right?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Excellent news. The more people get to see this happening, the better.

Small gestures can go along way to changing the world.

Protests are not going to go away, and besides - the cops won't be able to beat the athletes, or maim or worse.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Protesting racism does not justify showing disrespect to one's country and flag.

The issues should be kept separate.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

seems to me that by legitimizing likely 'protest', the authorities are removing the sting (and of course, controversy)...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well done USOPC, it's about time.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Black people in 1968 would kill to live like people do in 2021. Racism and oppression is something preached by the media and Democrats to win elections. As of now, 17 out of 30 of the highest paid athletes in the World are Black. Somebody tell me how much Black athletes and musicians earned in the 60s.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Brainwashed from birth,flag and country, wtf.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

If you are so ashamed and embarrassed of your country that disrespecting the flag and anthem are ok, why would you choose to represent your country in the Olympics to begin with?  There are other more appropriate venues to protest.  This just encourages even more division.   The Olympics are supposed to be about pride in country, and unity among athletes.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

“Black Lives Matter” or words such as “equality” or “justice.”

If the word "Black" can be replaced with other colors and shades, because actually black and white are not colors, then I might agree with face masks saying that, other than that, I am totally against it.

How about face masks with their countries flag on it for all participants?

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

If you are an American athlete, then your fist should not be raised nor should you be kneeling on the ground. To do so is to reject the notion that all people are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights, which notion is the basis of all human rights.

Agree 100%.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Raising a fist? Kneeling during the national anthem? NEVER.

These SJW "athletes" should try showing a little more respect.

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

I am divided about that. It should be forbidden for them to show fists. But it’s very good and fully correct if they all are kneeling. lol

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

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